January 2014
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 19, No. 1
NEXT MEETING - 5:00pm Sunday, January 5th, 2013
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every month
at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson (at the extreme
east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport ) in Orlando.
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join
us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and
what we do. For more information, visit our website at www.tinyurl.com/isgsongs or
myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/21075001
The meetings will be structured as follows: 5:00 to 5:30, business and introductions.
5:30 to 6:00, presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled), 5:30 or 6:00 to 8:00,
song critiques. Please bring a CD or mp3 player or perform your song live, and bring 10
or more lyric sheets. If we have at least 5 songs by members who wish to be scored, and
6 members scoring, then we will have them entered in the Monthly competition. Everyone
is encouraged to write constructive comments on the lyric sheets.
Still Going Strong
By Jeff Mason
I remember being a teenager and being smitten with puppy love. The
object of my affection was Judy Collins. I had an album “In My Life,” which she’d
released in 1966, and I wore out the grooves of that amazing record. It is beautifully
arranged and orchestrated by Joshua Rifkin. The title song written by Lennon and
McCartney is the last track. It is a refreshing interpretation of The Beatles song. The
album includes songs by Bob Dylan “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” and Randy Newman “I
Think It’s Going To Rain Today.” Collins is credited with introducing the world to
Leonard Cohen with her lovely version of “Suzanne.”
This year Leonard Cohen received two JUNO Awards in Canada. He was
nominated Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for his 2012 album “Old Ideas.”
Cohen is an enigma. Not blessed with a great singing voice he, nevertheless, manages to
write unusual and perplexing songs. At 78 years his fragile, bass voice still creates
mystical moods. Cohen is currently touring in New Zealand with his band many of whom
have been associated with him for a long time. His whispered musical style has roots in
European cabaret music. He is now 26th in Rolling Stone’s Top Fifty Touring Acts List
ahead of Beyonce and Lady Gaga! http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/08/here-are-the-50-greatest-live-acts-right-now/
Cohen turned to music relatively late in life. He seems to be making
up for lost time. His first album “Songs of Leonard Cohen” (1967) includes the often
covered “Suzanne” and became a cult classic. A favorite of mine is “The Stranger Song”
which has recently been covered by English guitar virtuoso Martin Simpson on his 2013
album “Vagrant Stanzas” and is featured in Robert Altman’s movie “McCabe and Mrs.
Miller”(1971). Before this excursion into music Cohen had been a noted Canadian poet
and author but he wasn’t making much money.
One cannot write an article about Cohen without mentioning
“Hallelujah,” a song from his 1984 album “Various Positions.” It has now surpassed
“Suzanne” as his most covered song. Noted covers have been recorded by Jeff Buckley,
John Cale, Rufus Wainwright and k.d. lang. There are now more than 300 versions of the
song and it has been used extensively in film and television soundtracks. Listen to
Wainwright’s version in “Shrek.”
The process of songwriting is not an easy one for Cohen. It is hard
work and he claims to have written 80 verses for “Hallelujah.” There are whole
notebooks dedicated to one song. In a 2009 interview Cohen said the following “But why
shouldn’t my work be hard? Almost everybody’s work is hard. One is distracted by this
notion that there is such a thing as inspiration, that it comes fast and easy. And some
people are graced by that style. I’m not. So I have to work as hard as any stiff, to
come up with a payload.” http://www.miketuritzin.com/songwriting/2009/05/leonard-cohen/
There is deep sexual and mystical tone to Cohen’s songs. A Jew from
Montreal who abandoned the world to live as a Buddhist monk in a Zen monastery. He
returned to the world only to discover that a former manager had stolen five million
dollars of his life savings. His road manager asked,”Are you going on the road because
you’re broke?” And he said,”Well, that might have something to do with it.” The
material world has it’s consolations. I’d say he’s just being pragmatic.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/02/leonard-cohens-zen-sensuality.html
It is possible to spend weeks exploring Cohen’s life on the
internet.There is so much information available. My interest was revived by an analysis
of his song “Famous Blue Raincoat” from his 1971 album “Songs of Love and
Hate.” http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/61039/
There is an excellent BBC4 documentary “What Leonard Cohen Did For
Me” which may be found on You Tube.
See you next month.
ISG Bulletin Board
Videography and website management services at a price you CAN AFFORD. Capturing your
wedding or event on video may not be in your budget but you’re hoping that you may have
something left over to hire a videographer. I will fit your budget. My goal is to offer
my services to those who otherwise would have to pass because of funds. This is your
special day and you most definitely want to capture those moments. Visit my website at
http://www.videosaysitall.com . Thanks and call me anytime (352-267-5911)…Carlos Colon
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association, Local 389.
You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the interests of
the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more information.
You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Matthew Campbell
Kirtan & Crystal Bowls
When: Fri, January 10th, 7pm
Where: 20 W Dakin Ave Kissimme Fl 34741 (map)
Description: Kirtan is an amazing vibrational/musical experience that will leave you
feeling inspired, uplifted, and completely "blissed-out"! I will join along with New
World Wellness Owner and Yoga/Meditation Instructor, Craig Costello in creating an
amazing vibrational and musical experience! A participation mystique is encouraged as I
set the rhythmic pace with drums, crystal singing bowls, scales and more, and Craig
leads the audience through optional singing, dancing and meditations during this
amazing experience...participate as much or as little as you wish and just enjoy the
amazing vibrations and incredible energy! The event is free 407.847.8792
This kicks off a free weekend of events, and finishes with another free Kirtan on
Sunday Jan 12th at 5:00pm. Contact newworldwellness@hotmail.com for more details.
Matthew "Sax" Campbell
Seems Like Yesterday Entertainment Productions
slyproductions.net
(407) 556-3782
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be
listed in the ISG members page. Also if you have any songs that have placed first in
the monthly critiques, please send the mp3's to isgorlando@gmail.com if you would like
to have them featured in the ISG MySpace page. https://myspace.com/21075001
We had a wonderful Christmas party in December. No critiques.
New members always welcome!
Any Details not in this newsletter are at: www.tinyurl.com/isgsongs
© 2013 ISG